Fortunately, there is been considerably more for the Firebird than merely its cornball organization with Burt Reynolds (or even cornier relationship with David Hasselhoff in TELEVISION's Knight Rider). A distinct nose and tail, in addition to minor differences inside gave a bit more excitement to the Firebird within the looks department, even though the sheet-metal was almost indistinguishable between the Camaro and Firebird. Coupe and convertible body designs tempted buyers.

Within the auto's early years, functionality buffs gravitated towards the Pontiac Firebird because of its enticing selection of powerplants that incorporated the same 400 cubicinch V8 used within the GTO. Pontiac even provided a highoutput overheadcam inline - 6 in hopes of creating the Firebird more attractive to people who favored more nimble handling, less weight plus a higherrevving engine.

In the dawn of the 70s, a redesigned Pontiac Firebird appeared, accessible just in a modern coupe body design. However, as that decade advanced, the Firebird's functionality declined while body graphics and spoilers, as if to pay, developed more extroverted. The Firebird appeared for 1982, sporting body to a lighter, wedgeshaped hatchback with flipup headlights. Managing was a powerful level, even though efficiency of the generation was feeble initially and by middecade, strong V8s were again becoming accessible.

Remaining true to its tradition, the Firebird, which bowed in 1993, however offered V8 power, a back - drive chassis, swoopy styling plus a selection of the coupe or convertible. Additionally, it provided over 300 hp and 13second quartermiles in the Formula and Trans-am variants.

The Firebird out of this period became increasingly aged while the years passed, though an excellent performance bargain. For a lot of customers, it found as unrefined as well as crude, particularly in comparison to other sport coupes and convertibles.

Newest Pontiac Firebird

Running from 1993 2002, the past Firebird generation continued the convention of design and performance above everything else. Transmission alternatives included a manual (V6), a sixspeed manual V8) plus a fourspeed automatic.

For 1996, the V8 produced Ram Air induction and 285-hp returned for that engine, boosting output to 305-hp.

A mid-cycle refresh happened for 1998 using a fresh frontend look and strong new "LS-1" 5.7liter V8s that produced 305 hp or 320 hp (with Ram Air).

Although quick, stylish and affordable, this Pontiac Firebird lacked refinement, specially with regard to the inside. The clunky controls style was about as sporty as a taxi's and there was a good amount of lowgrade plastic trim. What's More, the seats were fairly simple, and short on lateral and lumbar support. To the upside, there were decent cargo capability, big gauges and buttoneddown management (though lumps could disturb the solid rear axle suspended out back). midcorner.

Major gripes concerned the ride, awkwardly managing low seating position, ABS, dicey rearward visibility and lowquality interior trim.

Customer feedback is largely positive toward Firebirds from this age. Praises centre in the powerful functionality for your cash (even with the V6), mechanical reliability, cargo capacity, managing and styling. Chief complaints concern cheap cottage building, a smallish interior considering sometimes leaky and the human body size T - tops.

Previous Pontiac Firebird Versions

The previousgeneration (1982-'92) Firebird was slow from the blocks, but quickly blossomed into a street burner. Initially, this hatchback coupe came in three trims (foundation, luxurious S/E and Trans-am) and electricity ranged from the 90hp, 2.5liter inline-4 into a 165hp 5.0liter V8. A threespeed automatic and manual backed those engines up.

Mid-decade found the return of the Method (which provided Trans-am operation with no additional flash and for less cash) and engine choices up to 210 hp (5.7liter V8) along with the inclusion of the gear to every transmission. Sub 15-second quarters against the 5.7 were feasible, along with the Formula and Trans-am were famous for their tenacious road-holding.

Those considering any of the Firebirds would be advisable to prevent the very first few years, because the engines were dogs when it comes to both operation and reliability, and construction was hit or miss.